Device for measuring heights of trees and the like.



E. C(PAYNE. DEVICE FOR MEASURING HEIGHTS 0F TREES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, I9I3.

11 m J d e m M a D1 EDWIN '(LPAYNE, OF TACOMA, WAESHINGTON. i l

DEVICE FOB/MEASURING HEIGHTS 0F TREES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. l5, Mild.

Application filed July 3, 1913. Serial No. 777,277.

To all whom it may concern:

Be is known that I, EDWIN C. PAYNE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of IVashington,have invented a new and useful Device for Measuring Heights of Trees andthe like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a new and useful improved device for measuringheights of trees.

One of the features of the invention is the provision of card board or asheet metal plate having a graduated quarter are with the angles markedin degrees, say for instance, from zero to ninety (90) degrees, incombination with a plumb bob or pendulum, there being a table upon thecard board or plate giving heights of various trees with respect to somany paces from the base of a tree, the angle having been determined bysighting along the upper edge of the plate.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, ashereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings Figure l is a view of the plate, as being held in theproper position for measuring the height or the distance between thepoints a and b.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the device.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates a card boardor sheet metal plate having a table 2 at one end giving various heightsin feet and tenths arranged in columns according to the number of pacesshown at 3 as stepped off from the base of a tree or other object to bemeasured, there being an angle column 4, giving the various angles,according to where the plumb bob or pendulum 5 locates with respect tothe graduated are 6, when sighting along the upper edge 7 of the cardboard or plate to the top of a tree or other object, that is, at the endof the paces stepped off from the base of the object. The card board orplate is provided with a table of paces and feet designated by thenumeral 8.

To find the height of a tree or other object, the idea is to pace offany distance from the tree, say for instance, twenty five, th ty-fi e.fif y, seventy-fi e or a hu d ed paces. Hold the card board or plate inthe left hand with the graduated face thereof faclng toward the right,then sight over the top edge 7 of the card board to the top of theobject to be measured, allowing the plumb bob or pendulum to swingfreely but close to the graduated quarter are. After sighting and havingthe upper edge 7 alined with the top of the object to be measured, holdthe plumb bob or pendulum against the card w1th the thumb and finger ofthe right hand, then read the angle on the graduated arc. Find the sameangle in the angle column 4, then if the operator has paced offthirty-five paces, the height of the object to be meas ured will befound in the column under thirty-five paces, opposite the angle given onthe raduated are, that is, where the plumb bob as been held by the righthand.

For example pace off thirty-five paces from a base of a tree, and theraduated are or scale will show an'angle of 4 degrees. 47 degrees willthen be found in the angle column, and opposite the 47 degrees, under 35paces, 98.6 feet will be found, which is the height of the objectmeasured.

In rough or mountainous countries, it is not always convenient orpossible to get within a range of 75 or 100 paces, and still be on alevel with the foot of the tree. In a case where the cruiser is belowthe foot of the tree, the card board or plate is to be held in the lefthand as before stated, and the angle measured up to the foot of thetree. This distance having been noted, the angle is then measured to thetop of the tree, and when this height is found the first height isdeducted from it, which will give the proper height of the tree or other0b ect.

For example, pace off a distance of 75 paces from the tree and sightalong the upper edge 7 of the card board to the foot of the tree, whichwill be seven (7) degrees, and opposite 7 degrees in the angle column,under 75 in the paces column, 24.3 feet will be found. Then sight alongthe upper edge 7 of the card board to the top of the tree, finding theangle to be degrees, and opposits 55 degrees in the angle column under 5in the pace column 282.7 feet will be noted, from which the firstcalculation (24.3 feet) is deducted leaving 258.4 feet, the exact heightof the tree.

When the cruiser is above the foot of the tree, the card board or scaleis held in his right hand with, the graduated jside facing hisleft. Theangle from the upper edge 7 of the card board to the foot of the tree isthen read on the graduated quarter are and noted. The scale or cardboard then reversed to the original position in the left hand, and theangle measured to the top of thetree, after which the two-heights areadded, which gives the exact height of the tree.

Example: Pace off 50 paces from the tree, read the angle down to thefoot of the tree as being G degrees, and opposite (5 degrees in theangle column under 50 in the pace column, 13.9 feetwill be found; thenreverse the scale and find the angle to the top of the tree'by sightingalong the upper edge '7 of the card board, giving 42 degrees, andopposite 42- in the angle column under 50 in the pace column, 118.8 feetwill be found, to which add 13.9 feet. making a total of 132.7

feet, the exact height of the tree or other object.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and usefulis In a device for measuring heights, the combination with a chartmember having a Washington, DL 0.

straight sighting edge to aline from the eye with the top of the object,the height of which is'to be measured from points at different numbersof paces distant from the In testimony whereof I have signed mv naine tothis specification in the two subscribing witnesses.

EDWIN G. PAYNE.

presence of l/Vitnesses HERBERT S. Grimes, C. E. STEVENS.

addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

